Bardsley set for tough Scotland debut

Phil Bardsley is poised to make his Scotland debut against Spain after Craig Levein confirmed Alan Hutton was a major doubt for Tuesday's game. Hutton has been struggling with a groin problem and was one of several players to sit out training on Sunday. English-born Bardsley, 25, was called into the squad last week after pledging his allegiance to Scotland despite previously rejecting overtures from his Glaswegian father's nation. Levein said: "The biggest doubt is probably Alan Hutton. It looks as if he might struggle but I can't say for certain." With Levein already without the injured Kirk Broadfoot, he confirmed that a debut for Sunderland full-back Bardsley was a "distinct possibility" in the Euro 2012 qualifier.